There is no charge per transaction on the service, and punters' details will all be secure as your credit or debit card numbers are not actually stored on your device or Apple servers.

A unique Device Account number is instead issued, and it's encrypted and stored in your device.

Apple Pay works with an iPhone 6 or later, iPhone SE, iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 or later and an Apple Watch paired to an iPhone 5 or later.

Irish stores currently using Apple Pay include plenty of major supermarkets - Aldi, Centra, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Marks & Spencer and SuperValu, while Boots, applegreen and Burger King are also on board.

Ulster Bank’s Director of Customer Experience and Products, Maeve McMahon said: "Customer-centric innovation is really important to Ulster Bank, and Apple Pay will make mobile payments even easier for our customers.

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"They will be able to pay for goods and services anywhere contactless payments are accepted, using their iPhone 6 or later or Apple Watch. We know from talking to them that they’re really excited about this announcement and that it’s an important part of our drive to be the number one bank for customer service, trust and advocacy."

Irish locations using Apple Pay

Aldi

Amber

An Post

applegreen

Boots

Burger King

Centra

compub

Dunnes Stores

INTERSPORT Elverys

Guinness Storehouse

Harvey Norman

iConnect

Lidl

M&S

PostPoint

Sam McCauley

SuperValu

Eddie Dillon, Director of Innovation at KBC Bank Ireland, added: "At KBC we pride ourselves on digital innovation and we are thrilled to be one of the first banks in Ireland to offer Apple Pay. This development enhances our €100 million multi-year investment plan in digital channels, banking systems and physical presence in Ireland.

"As Ireland has the largest mobile penetration in Europe, KBC will continue to offer our customers the best in class digital solutions as we evolve into a digital-first customer centric bank.

"We were the first bank in Ireland with mobile current account openings and now customers can pay for goods worldwide anywhere contactless payments are accepted by simply using their mobile phone."